Dad LOVED being "Down on the Farm!" That's where he would plant a big garden with all of us helping him!!! Dad would run a line, moving it from row to row,then the planting began! The seeds had to be not to deep, not to shallow!! AND, we had to do it just right too!!! I can still remember how Mom, My Sister and I would grin, behind Dad's back of course!!, at the way we had to plant it "just right!!!"All the Grandkids knew they had to plant it "just right" too!!! Dad LOVED planting a garden!!!

For the barn in those days, was used not just seen,

Outlined against the fields of green.

Where the farmer must have spent most of the day,

Storing the grain and piling the hay.

In winter the cold snow dripped from it's eaves,

Down on piles of wind blown leaves.

The poultry and animals all keeping warm,

Snuggled inside from the cold winter storm.

Just think of this barn what wonders it's seen,

The plows and the tractors and threshing machine.

And I'm sure this old barn, stood in a trance,

When the lively young folks, held a country dance.

So the old red barn, though it's days are through,

Stands on the rise, right in full view.

Of anyone looking for an old country scene,

The old red barn, in a setting of green.

E.H. Coe

"Garden"

Cut the grass, mow the weeds,

Plow the ground, sow the seeds.

Reap the harvest, when it's fair,

And pile the weeds, right over there!

Now in the fall, clean up the mess,

Now's not the time, to stop and rest.

Handle it all, with loving care,

And pile the weeds, right over there!!

E.H. Coe 1981

"Coon's"

The summer sun sank in the west,

The old Coon looked around.

To say "I know a sweet corn patch,

No better can be found!

It's just across the soy-bean field,

We'll get it while it's cool.

I know this sweet corn can't be beat,

And planted by a fool."

So up across the field they came,

The corn was in it's prime.

They all start eating from the patch,

Not wasting any time.

They picked the big ears, ate it all,

What wasn't ate was stripped.

They scattered sweet corn all around,

On this Summer evening trip.

This story does not end this night,

For with the Sun's first ray.

The fool who planted sweet corn here,

Came up to pick this day.

And when he saw what Coons had done,

He yelled and fumed and swore.

That Coons would never, never do,

This to him any more!

He set his traps, around the patch,

The Coons came back in force.

But none were caught, and he said then,

"Let Nature take it's course!"

E.H. Coe 1974

"Corn Thief"

The Old Racoon,

By the light of the moon,

Sneaked down to the sweet corn patch.

With his nose in the air,

And nary a care,

He thought, "I'll just spoil the whole batch."

But to his surprise,

There in front of his eyes,

Was a long, white row of lime.

So turning his tail,

With a heart that near failed,

For he'll not be the same for some time.

Cause you see, this old coon,

In the light of the moon,

Didn't dream any one knew,

And scared by the lime,

And not in his prime,

Back where he came from, he flew!!

E.H. Coe 1975

Racoon and Caterpillar graphics from

"animated.gif (c) Kitty Roach"

Mom and Dad bought their "Get Away Cottage" in July, 1959. They decided, In 1961, to move to Their "Permanent Home", year round!!! With much work, They made Their Cottage, "Their Home". It was Their Home, for almost 40 years. It has changed some now, BUT this is the way We will Always Remember It!!!